Copy Onto Your Pta S Or School S Letterhead

Copy Onto Your Pta S Or School S Letterhead

(COPY ONTO YOUR PTA’S OR SCHOOL’S LETTERHEAD)

SAMPLE PARENT/STUDENT LETTER

(INSERT DATE)

Dear Parent/Student:

(I or INSERT NAME OF PTA) (have/has) joined with Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) to remind(INSERT SCHOOL DISTRICT) students and parents thatflu season is here and prevention is the key to a healthy school year.

Every year in the United States, on average:

  • 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
  • more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
  • about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Studies show that otherwise healthy but unvaccinated daycare and school-age children are prime targets for influenza, or what is more commonly called “the flu.” Once infected, children shed more of the influenza viruses than do infected adults, and they do so for longer periods of time. This explains why they are so often at the center of an outbreak in the family or the community.

Since one-fifth of the U.S. population attends or works in schools, schools are a primary source of infection and possibly theprimary source of infection. When children become infected, unvaccinated household members quickly follow suit, leading to missed school days, missed work, doctor visits and sometimes hospital visits.

It’s difficult to identify this vaccine-preventable disease from other upper respiratory ailments, such as colds, because the symptoms can be so similar. Prevention is key to maintaining a healthy environment during flu season.

The (INSERT SCHOOL) PTA is working with Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) to encourage everyone to take these simple steps to keep yourselves, your loved ones and those around you as healthy as possible during flu season:

  • Get vaccinated. Every year a new vaccine is developed to combat that year’s particular influenza virus, so annual immunization is necessary.
  • Wash hands. Frequent handwashing keeps lots of germs out of our bodies, including the influenza virus. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
  • Stay home if you don’t feel well. Should you become infected, keep the germs from spreading by staying home and don’t forget to take care of yourself.
  • Use tissues to block a sneeze or cough. If no tissues are available, use your sleeve. This helps prevent the spread of germs. Don’t forget to wash your hands afterward, even if using a tissue.

Please visit www.cdc.gov/flufor more information about who should get the flu shot.

(INSERT PTA) and PKIDs want parents to know that influenza is largely vaccine-preventable. Immunization is the most effective means of preventing the disease, but students and adults should also practice the previously mentioned steps to stay healthy during flu season.

The (INSERT NAME OF PTA) is a child advocacy organization of parents, educators, students and other citizens active in the (INSERT SCHOOL DISTRICT). We encourage you to learn more about influenza and prevention and speak to your family physician about immunization.

PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) is a national nonprofit organization that supports families touched by chronic, viral infectious diseases including hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, and educates the public about effective disease prevention. For more information on influenza and other infectious diseases, please visit their website at or call 877-55-PKIDS.

Sincerely,

(INSERT NAME AND TITLE, E.G. DISTRICT PTA PRESIDENT)

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